5 Great Careers in Forensic Science - The Best Master's Degrees

5 Forensic Science Career Options

Forensic Accountant
Forensic Ballistics Analyst
Forensic Nurse
Forensic Anthropologist
Forensic DNA Analyst

There is substantial variety in the amount of forensic science careers to choose from. This is because the science of forensics can be applied to most fields to solve specific kinds of crime. The five careers listed below are all good options when considering a career to pursue in forensic science.

1. Forensic Accountant

Forensic accountants combine the science of forensics with accounting practices in order to uncover financial crimes such as fraud and theft. They are trained to spot small details that may be evidence of various kinds of financial fraud. Attention to detail and strong critical thinking skills are necessary for this profession, as are solid tech skills. Forensic accountants can work for law enforcement agencies as well as private consulting firms.

2. Forensic Ballistics Analyst

Ballistics is the science of firearms and the evidence those firearms leave behind. The job of a forensic ballistics analyst involves taking bullets, casings and other evidence from the scene of the crime and then analyzing it. From this evidence, they can determine what kind of firearm was discharged as well as match the evidence to an individual weapon if the weapon is found. They also determine the direction and angles from which weapons were fired. This evidence can be important in court when linking a suspect to a crime.

3. Forensic Nurse

Forensic nurses provide healthcare to victims as well as obtain critical evidence from their patients' bodies. Anyone wishing to enter this field must be highly compassionate and empathetic because they will be on the front line working with victims of sexual assault, violence, abuse and neglect. According to PayScale, one of their most important roles is to serve as a liaison between law enforcement, other medical professionals caring for the patient and the patient themselves. Because they often work in an emergency room setting, long and odd hours are expected in this profession.

4. Forensic Anthropologist

This forensic science career focuses on examining human remains such as bones or severely decayed corpses. Forensic anthropologists might look for information such as how a person died as well as their age, sex and other details that could shed light on what happened to them. They can work for modern law enforcement or for research institutions that analyze ancient human remains.

5. Forensic DNA Analyst

These forensic professionals collect, examine and test DNA found at crime scenes. They compare found DNA to existing databases or to other samples that have been collected. This career is growing in importance because of technological advancements made in obtaining and analyzing DNA as evidence. These professionals can use DNA analysis to determine who was at the scene of a crime, identify remains or determine a suspect. DNA evidence is seen as the best method of identification possible and can indict as much as it can absolve, making it a critical component of modern criminal investigations.

Forensic science is an excellent career choice for students who are interested in law enforcement and science in addition to another subject such as healthcare or accounting. Students interested in this field should consider any of these exciting careers in forensic science.